AC Milan have formally opened talks over signing Lazar Samardzic but there are various aspects to the deal that must be considered.
According to Calciomercato.com, what until a few days ago seemed like a simple suggestion is becoming an increasingly concrete option for the Rossoneri. After signing Alvaro Morata and with Strahinja Pavlovic and Youssouf Fofana hopefully to follow, Samardzic’s name also emerged.
Milan have already carried out exploratory enquiries and have had contact with the boy’s father, Mladen, who is also his agent. Now, the discussions between the clubs are also underway and more concrete talks are expected on Monday.
Udinese want around €25m to sell the Serbian but Milan are aiming to reduce this, given that a little less than a year ago Inter closed a loan with obligation deal for €20m plus Giovanni Fabbian as a counterpart before the father-agent’s requests saw the deal collapse.
What will play an important role is the desire of Samardzic himself, who after seeing moves to Inter and Napoli break down wants a step forward in his career and a transfer to a top club. The 22-year-old wants to play in the Champions League, which is why he has rebuffed interest from some teams.
One of the issues to be addressed remains the commissions owed to the player’s entourage and his father Mladen. Last January, in discussions with Napoli, the request for the commissions was around €3m. The Joshua Zirkzee saga shows that Milan will only pay what they deem as fair.